Why Do Athletes Use Steroids

1190 Words3 Pages

Evan Dean
Mr. Johnson
English 11
May 6, 2018
The Use of Performing Enhancing Drugs in Athletes In recent history there has been a debate on whether or not athletes should be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). In most professional and collegiate level sports PEDs are illegal for athletes to use. Should athletes be allowed to use PEDs? Athletes should not use performance enhancing drugs because of bad short-term side effects, long-term health issues, and lack of competition. First, there are many negative short-term side effects associated with PED usage in athletes. The PEDs can cause severe acne that can cover the body. This acne can be severe enough that scarring may also occur. Mood changes have also been known to be associated …show more content…

The general population can choose to use these substances through the power of choice. Athletes should have this same freedom to choose whether or not they want to use PEDs. The long-term benefits of PED usage could include prolonging a season or career for an athlete that may have an injury. It can also benefit the athlete by providing increased strength and muscle growth. It ultimately is a choice to “determine if the athletes prefer the gains in performance allegedly provided by the use of steroids, along with the increased risk of harm to the alternative of less risk and worse …show more content…

The side effects and health issues alone should be enough to determine that the PED usage ban should remain in effect. The short-term risk of mood swings is of significant concern. The athlete could become angry over small issues and may even be violent toward others. The long-term health risks are especially scary and concerning. It is understood that athletes can choose to take PEDs but it should not be a free for all. It should not be allowed that athletes can suffer from the long-term effects because we make usage more available. The long-term risks of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and liver tumors are scary. The competition level should remain as it is today and should not be diminished due to widespread PED usage. It would not be the same watching sporting events if you know the athletes are only that good because they use PEDs. It is also concerning that young children would think it is acceptable to use PEDs because their role models all use

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